Why the lady at the yarn shop told me that alpaca was wool. Since when did alpaca come from sheep? I thought alpaca yarn came from strangely enough; alpacas and that wool yarn came from sheep.

Why people feel the need to honk at you when the car in front of you moves 3 inches and you don’t creep up to kiss its bumper. Come on people! Its 3 inches! Is that really going to get us there any faster?

What is up with Seattle weather? The calendar reads Summer but outside looks like cold, wintry spring!

And finally...

How is it possible that my baby brother turns 29 today! Wasn’t he just a little brat that bugged me when we were in junior high? And now he owns a house and is married? Whoa! This age thing is creeping up on us!

That is the number of stairs that Julie and I ran tonight. It was a killer workout but oh so good! My legs were shaking and my heart was pumping but there was joy in the accomplishment of climbing so many steps.

My Spanish class was cancelled due to teacher illness which gave me more time for the stair torture and a quick visit to REI.

Two more days until my brother turns 29 and we are celebrating by going to see, "War of the Worlds" which will be great!

Really! Wasn't it just Friday evening? Where did my weekend go and why did it go by so quickly!?!

Saturday was my last day with the cats and Chloe.

Chloe whimpered as I drove away which was precious but I know she's just fine with her new petsitter.

and I just loved the expression on one of the cat's faces. Callie always looks mad at you even when she is purring up a storm.

Saturday was also my Aunt's wedding which was quite gorgous and I think I wore myself out taking photos. There were all on film which are being developed so no photos here just yet.

Today was a gorgeous Seattle day. I met a friend for a bike ride and then we visited another friend's house for little get-together.

In between there was some knitting on the Sitcom Chic. I was so happy when I thought I had finished one sleeve and started right up on the second. It wasn't until a bit later when I noticed a HUGE hole in the first sleeve. I only need to rip back about 8 rows but I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH THAT SLEEVE! HURMPHHPPH!

So I'll be fixing the first sleeve tonight and continuing progress on the second which is much further along than this photo shows since this was taken Friday evening.

Last night after my bike ride was cancelled due to thunder and lighting, I decided to make more of my Famous Cupcakes.

And today I will share the famous recipe with everyone.

Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C)

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

¾ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

¾ cup buttermilk

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Filling

1 cup marshmallow crème

Glaze

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup whipping cream

1. In a small bowl, mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, egg and vanilla until smooth. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk, beating until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips (I always add a few extra!)3. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin (lined with paper liners). Bake in oven at 350F for 22 to 27 minutes or until cupcakes are baked. Insert a toothpick into the center and when it comes out clean, cupcakes are done! Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Then remove from pan and let cool completely on rack. 4. When cupcakes are completely cool, remove paper liners and slice cupcakes in half horizontally. 5. Filling: Spread a layer of marshmallow crème on cut side of bottom half of cupcake. Replace top half and sandwich two halves together. Repeat with remaining cupcakes. 6. Glaze: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and whipping cream. Microwave until chocolate is melted. Stir until smooth and allow to stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly.7. Pour glaze over cupcakes. Place cupcakes on platter and refrigerate until glaze is firm.8. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve and Enjoy!

This was Chloe watching me the entire time I baked cupcakes but because they were chocolate and because she has a sensitive stomach, there were none to be shared with her.

I'm dog/cat/house sitting again this week for a local spinner and knitter that I met through Ryan at some knitting party. Hey! Speaking of Ryan, did you see the total number of Dulaan donations? Did ya? 3,507 items! I am AMAZED! WOW! Oh so yes, I'm housesitting and the pets are really nice though I did just catch one of the cat's trying to steal the other cat's food!

I've got a lot on my plate this week and I need sleep! Julie and I are in our Prep Week 1 for our Olympic Tri training so tonight is the dreaded hill repeats. That is when you ride your bike up and down the same hill in an attempt to build strength. They are hard but very beneficial.

I also started Spanish up again and my Aunt is getting married on Saturday so I need to find a present for that. Not sure what to get but I'm sure some ideas will come to mind.

Cupcakes! Tomorrow (or possibly tonight depending on my mood) I will post the Smores cupcake recipe! Kate -- I am trying to figure out how one would ship those to Paris! Give me time, I'm crafty!

OK and so I'm off. Sorry for the random string in this post but hey! It's my blog and I feel random!

What a week! I have just been running at full force over here. Settling into the new job, recovering from Chicago, discussing Proust and swimming in Martha Lake (yep, still LOVING the wetsuit).

Millenium Park at dusk -- the children really knew how to cool off!

So Chicago, I promised a recap. Matya arrived on Thursday night and stayed with her sister-in-law who is in town working on a movie. It’s got famous people in it, sounds funny and I can’t wait to see it. Jen always works on the coolest movies! Liz and I met up on Friday at O’Hare and took the train into the city. It was the HOTTEST place I had ever been. We renamed the train, “SubHell” due to the amount of heat and sweating. Yes, I whined. Yes, Carolyn told me to shut it.

We spent Saturday shopping along the “Magnificent Mile” where I made sure to spend some quality time at H&M. Lunch was traditional Chicago pizza with more shopping in the afternoon. Saturday evening we ate at Berghoff Restaurant which Liz said reminded her of a German Denny’s. Then we met up with Jen again and headed over to the Excalibur for dancing until 4 a.m. My footsies were so tired!

Sunday brought a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago and lunch with Carolyn. Carolyn and I then headed over to the Knitting Workshop in Lincoln Park and a quick visit to Jamba Juice where we encountered some unique Chicagoans. We sat by the Lake and I really enjoyed the cool breeze!

That night, Matya, Liz, Jen and I had a traditional Brazilian meal which was delicious but very spendy. Monday was our last day and so it was spent packing and making one last stop at the Library.

And because I’ve not yet thanked Carolyn on the blog, here is the fantastic present I received from her BEFORE my trip to Chicago.

How one night we stayed out until 4:30 a.m., how I did massiveshopping at H&M and still managed to spend only $72.12, how great someof the meals were, how much fun it was to meet Carolyn in person andhow there was a great visit to a yarn shop where I was too hot to buymuch, how I whined about the Chicago heat to Carolyn and everyone onthe street, how I ran into Johnny Damon of the Boston Red Socks onMichigan Avenue and how much fun I had!

But all of that will have to wait until later when I have time to post.

Sitcom Chic, she grows! I'm at the point where I will soon enter sleeve island. I've figured out how to conquer the "claw hand" issue but working on the sweater two rows at a time. One Knit, One Purl, Rest. It seems to work and the sweater is growing!

Yesterday Ryan and TMK hosted a "Dulaan Knit-In" party. I was amazed at the level of donations gathered at just that one party!

Mary has knit over 45 items and though she mentioned some stiff competition from a Vermont blogger, I was quietly astounded at all her work. OK so I wasn't quiet BUT STIll I was astounded! I mean 45 items! She's a Dulaan GODDESS! I bow to her glory.

In between being amazed at my fellow knitters, I donated a few items of my own

and cast on and knitted a hat while enjoying yummy food and great knitters!

I even caught Frankie modeling a Dulaan hat with Ryan!

I had such a great afternoon knitting for people who will really appreciate the warmth of knitted garments, spending time laughing with Karen, June, Kit and Mary B. TMK said we were at the trouble makers table.

And I finally figured out the mystery of the felted blankets! I just couldn't understand why all these people were buying pieces of felt and cutting them up when in my mind, all they needed to do was cut a simple square. WELL yesterday I saw a finished one and it had TWO pieces of felt put together. That's what all the tying if for! It was a lightbulb moment. Well a dim one for a dim knitter!

Today on my last day of work, I purchased a WETSUIT! This summer when I'm training for my triathlon and then actually doing the triathlon, this suit will be a huge asset. LeAnne -- I'm about 99% positive I'll be doing Black Diamond, though my course will be a bit shorter than your more impressive length.

Last night after leaving work, I had great plans for myself. I was going to run a few pesky errands, workout, knit on my sitcom chic and finish my Espanol homework.

Instead after one errand (dropping off my shoes for repair), I was struck with a massive headache. I did manage one more errand (stopping by the car dealer for touch-up paint that they did not have) before admitting defeat and heading home. Cookie was excited to see me and quickly jumped into my lap for scratches.

Cookie let me know that she was not pleased with the rainy weather and made a point to tell me through the night. (I secretly like the rain!)

I did manage to get most of my Espanol homework complete before admitting defeat to the headache and going to bed. Unfortunately the darn thing was still with me this morning but a few advil later, I'm feeling better. Tonight! Sitcom Chic is sooooo being knitted on! Headache or not! (famous last words?)